Removable tie-down clip and method of making same

ABSTRACT

Single-piece clips for securing objects to surfaces by insertion through a gap or channel in the surface such as, for example, outdoor decking comprised of spaced-apart planks. The clips include a head, legs and feet properly dimensioned to prevent the clip from being pulled out once positioned. The head provides an aperture to which object fasteners/connectors can be attached, while the legs and feet provide three-dimensional stabilization preventing an object so connected from being displaced.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the fastening of objects tostructures, and more particularly to fastening such objects to reusableclips secured in a gap in the structures, such as, for example, in thespacing between decking planks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need frequently arises to secure free-standing items to more sturdysurfaces, such as outdoor decks to prevent them from moving around onwindy days. Items such as barbeque grills, tables, chairs, etc., aretypically tied to housing or decking structures with ropes or chains, orbrought indoors to prevent them from being blown around and beingdamaged or causing damage to the surroundings. Homeowners wish to avoidspending copious amounts of time preparing for storms or windy days.Thus, a need exists for an easily configured and reusable fasteningmechanism for securing such items to existing structures and surfaces.

There is a similar need to removably moor watercraft to docks. A marinatypically has docks and moorings to which a boat may be secured when itis not in use. Permanently attached lines and docking cleats are notalways available in sufficient numbers at the edge of every dock. Andtypical dock attachment means cannot be easily and conveniently attachedor removed from a plank dock once they are mounted. Conventional dockingcleats are secured by drilling the dock planks to create mounting holes.Once secured, the cleat may be very difficult and inconvenient to removeso that it may be used elsewhere. Accordingly, a fastening mechanismthat is portable and adaptable to a variety of surfaces would be valuedby boaters, who could carry the fastening mechanism(s) in theirwatercraft.

There is a further similar need among contractors and others whotransport equipment and other items from one location to another incarrier vehicles to be able to simply and quickly secure the equipmentto the vehicles. Flatbed trucks and trailers have surfaces forsupporting the equipment during transport. A fastening mechanism forsecuring equipment in such vehicles in a quick, reliable manner couldprevent unwanted shifting and/or loss during transport. The ability tostabilize items would extend the usefulness of such fastening mechanismsto applications involving picnic tables, wherein items such as portablegrills, lanterns and supplies can be secured to the picnic tables.

Previous attempts to satisfy some of these needs include multi-componentmechanisms requiring permanent modification or damage to the decksurface such as, for example, screw eyes threaded into the deck orthrough-bolted, fastening cleats, or rope that passes through drilledbore-holes in decking for attachment to deck supporting membersunderneath the surface. These methods not only are unsightly, but alsorequire modification to the deck and they limit the ability to easilyrelocate the items to be secured without having to repair the areas towhich they had been previously secured.

Preferably, the fastening mechanism should be inexpensive tomanufacture, easy to install, and easy to use. It should be removable soas not to be obstruct normal use of the securing surface (e.g., deck ordock) and/or loading or unloading the equipment onto the vehicle. Use ofthe fastening mechanism to prevent theft is potentially another benefit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a removable, reusable fastening clipsuitable for temporary or permanent securing of objects to surfaces thathave holes or gaps therein. For example, environments in which thefastening clips are particularly suited include decking and dockscomprised of planks, or flat surfaces of transport vehicles that haveslits or cut-out grooves in them. The planks that are arranged withslight gaps to form deck and dock surfaces, and the portions of thenoted vehicle surfaces disposed on either side of such a gap or groove,will collectively be referred to herein as “surface members,” eventhough in the vehicle surface context there may be but one surface inwhich there is a gap to accommodate fastening clips in accordance withthe present invention.

Typical uses of the clips include securing items such as barbequegrills, canopies, tables, umbrella stands, planters, pool equipment,storage containers to a residential deck, or for cleat-less fastening ofwatercraft and other items (floats, life saving equipment, etc.) todocks. The clips may also be used to secure items such as, for example,lawn mowers, snow blowers, building materials, etc., to the deck of atrailer during transportation, or for holding equipment in place duringnew construction, such as air compressors that tend to move around whenin use due to vibration. While these examples of surfaces with which theclips may be employed are flat and generally horizontal, usage of theclip is not necessarily limited to such an environment. For example,objects may be similarly secured to any vertical surface using theclips, provided the surface includes surface members exhibiting arelatively small gap and a finite width. The clip is typically used inconjunction with some type of connector or tie-down, such as ropes,bungee cords, hooks, chains, hasps, strap, etc., for the purpose ofsecuring items from undesired movement.

The objects set forth above as well as further and other objects andadvantages of the present invention are achieved by the embodiments ofthe invention described hereinbelow. A preferred embodiment of the clipcomprises a single element such as, for example, a wire formed intomultiple, substantially co-planar sections. The clip includes a headsuch as, for example, a ring loop that has dimensions suitable toreceive a portion of one of the connector types noted above orequivalents thereto. The clip head may take a variety of shapes, butprovides a substantially closed or contiguous aperture through which theconnectors can be connected, and the clip head has a maximum dimension(i.e., outer diameter for the ring embodiment) that is greater than thewidth of the gap between the surface members (e.g., deck planks) toprevent the clip head from slipping through the gap between the surfacemembers.

Extending from the clip head are a pair of elongated legs that aresubstantially co-planar with the head and of sufficient length so as toextend from the head on one side of the surface members through the gapto another side of the surface members. In an alternative embodiment, aportion of each leg is twisted about a corresponding portion of theother leg, preferably the legs are twisted about one another, preferablyin a region that will not be inserted into the gap between surfacemembers. The twisted region may even prevent the clip from completelyslipping through the gap between surface members.

At the end of each leg is a foot that diverges in a direction oppositethat of the foot on the other leg. The feet extend outward and away fromone another, and in alternative embodiments lie either substantially inthe same plane as the head and legs or in a plane not that is at anangle (preferably perpendicular) with respect to the head. In analternative embodiment discussed below, the clip may be fastened in agap between surface members in such a manner that the legs areside-by-side but neither is precisely in the same plane as the cliphead. The geometry of the feet may be straight or curved, and optionallyat the end of each foot may be an upward curling or cornering featurefor additional adherence to or penetration into the lower side of thesurface member. The very tips of the feet may additionally be tyned orbeveled to further enhance adherence to the bottom surface of thesurface members.

The clip is preferably composed of a spring tempered, high-strength andcorrosion-resistant material and formed such that the legs willnaturally separate from one another so as to each engage an opposingsurface member for added fastening strength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawing and detailed description, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing an embodiment of a clip inaccordance with the present invention, disposed between to surfacemembers;

FIGS. 2A-F are schematic illustrations showing alternative embodimentsof the clip;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a method of installing the clipbetween two surface members; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a clip engaged with deck planksand a joist and to which a bungee cord hook connector is fastened tosecure an otherwise moveable object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a clip 10 in accordance with the presentinvention can be used to secure objects to support surfaces formed ofsurface members 12 of substantially uniform thicknesses 13 (such as, forexample, a slotted wall section or the deck planks shown in FIG. 4)having a gap 14 between them. The clip 10 is preferably comprised of asingle element including multiple portions, including head 16, a pair oflegs 18, and a pair of feet 20. The clip is preferably composed of ahigh-strength, corrosion-resistant material for outdoor use, such asstainless steel, brass, aluminum, alloys, or other materials (e.g.,plastics) for lighter duty uses. Plating of the material selected toform the clip is an option if the intended application of the cliprequires more corrosion resistance or strength. A symmetric designresults in uniform stresses through the clip 10 for improved stabilityand holding power, and for reduced deformation under load.

In a preferred embodiment, the material is of a spring temper, such asspring temper 302 or 304 stainless steel, so that the clip 10 will holdits shape after original forming. This provides the added advantage ofallowing the legs 18 to be spring-loaded, as the clip will attempt toregain its shape after installation, thereby engaging opposing edges ofthe surface members and thus aid in maintaining the clip's position inthe gap 14. As long as the gap 14 between the surface members 12 is atleast as wide as the diameter of the clip legs, the clip can be slidbetween the surface members.

The head 16 forms a substantially closed or contiguous aperture 22 to orthrough which connectors (such as the bungee cord connector 24 of FIG.4) to the objects to be secured are established. Head 16 has a maximumdimension 26 (shown as the outer diameter of the ring-type embodiment ofhead 16) which is greater than the width of the gap 14 between thesurface members 12.

The legs 18 extend continuously from the head 16 in substantially thesame plane (the x-y plane as shown) as the head 16 and aperture 22. Thelegs are dimensioned to fit in the gap 14 between the surface membersand each has a length 28 longer than the thicknesses 13 of the surfacemembers 12.

The feet 20 extend from the ends of the legs 18 opposite the head 16 indivergent directions to a distant greater than the width of the gap 14.In preferred embodiments, the feet remain substantially co-planar withthe legs and the head 16, but in certain alternative embodiments theterm ‘substantially’ includes proximate parallel planes, and in yetother embodiments the feet are non-planar (e.g., substantiallyperpendicular) with respect to an imaginary plane including the head 16.

In one non-limiting example, ⅛″ diameter stainless steel wire was usedto form a fastening clip with adequate strength for residential uses.For heavier duty applications, such as tying up a boat or dock, the clip10 can be made of thicker material, such as ¼″ or 5/16″ or largerdiameter wire. The diameter of the wire employed is obviously selectedfor the specific intended use. The dimensional tolerances of the clipcan be relatively loose, provided the clip legs 18 fit within the gap 14between surface members 12. The length of the legs 18 (1⅛″ in the clipreduced to practice) is selected to work with the particular width 13 ofsurface members (e.g., deck planks) to which the objects are to befastened. The 1⅛″ leg length in this example is optimized for deckplanks up to 1″ thick (known as “ 5/4″ stock”). For use on decks ordocks constructed of “2 by” planks (e.g. “2 by 6”) arranged withpredetermined gaps between them, the actual plank thickness 1.5″, anoptimum leg length would be approximately 1⅝″. The leg length of theclip 10 is slightly larger than the plank thickness. The diameter of theaperture 22 (1.0″ in this example) is dependent upon the intendedconnectors 24 to be used. A hook of a bungee cord (such as in FIG. 4) ora snap hook of a tie down strap works well with a 1″ aperture diameter.This relatively small size provides both aesthetic and safetyadvantages. For boat docks, where large ropes or hooks may be used totie up a boat, the diameter of the aperture is substantially larger.

As noted above, in the preferred embodiment, the head 16, legs 18 andfeet 20 are substantially co-planar before installation, and even afterinstallation in many embodiments. This simplifies manufacturing,allowing automated equipment such as four-slide machines to form theclip 10 very inexpensively in high volumes with minimum toolingrequirements. Single-piece construction eliminates the need to weld,braze, bond, thread, or otherwise attach multiple components to form theclip. Alternatively, a clip design wherein the feet 20, or the feet 20and the legs 18, are not co-planar with the head 16, can be made withslightly more complex tooling, but still provides the stated advantagesof single-piece construction.

A variety of alternative embodiments of the clip 10 are illustrated inFIGS. 2A-F. The head 16 may take a variety of shapes other than the ringshown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 2A-B show but two of the multisided variations,in addition to other ellipsoidal shapes, that the head 16 may take. Thefeet 20 may also take on a variety of shapes to better conform to thebottom sides of surface members 12.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2C, the legs 18 are twisted aboutone another in one or more turns. The twists preferably end prior to theregion of the legs that is intended to traverse the thickness of thesurface members, so as not to impede insertion of the legs into the gapbetween the surface members.

FIG. 2D shows feet exhibiting curved lengths, and FIG. 2E show features19 at the ends of the respective feet that may embed into the bottomsides of the surface members to attain greater lateral stability. Thefeatures 19 are also formed from the same single element and areco-planar with and point in the general direction of the head 16, butmay optionally be beveled or tyned to facilitate embedding into thesurface members.

FIG. 2F illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the clipwherein the feet 30 are not co-planar with the head 32. Rather, the feet30 of this embodiment are at any angle (preferably 90 degrees) withrespect to an imaginary plane including the head.

With reference to FIG. 3, the clip 10 is installed by inserting the feet20 vertically downward through the gap 14 between surface members 12until the feet traverse the gap to the bottom side of the surfacemembers. Then the clip is twisted axially (about an imaginary axis 15extending along the length of the clip) approximately 1/4 turn (90degrees) until the head 16 is perpendicular to the gap 14. The clip 10is then preferably drawn laterally (in the direction of arrow 17) alongthe gap 14 until it abuts a floor joist 19 or other supportingcross-member under the surface members, thereby securing the clip inthree dimensions. Once the feet 20 abut the joist, any tendency of theclip 10 to rotate or spring out of position is eliminated. The connector24 (such as shown in FIG. 4) being fastened to the clip head 16 shouldbe attached so the direction that the secured object might undesirablybe displaced maintains the clip contact with the joist. Although woodenplanks are typical for most decks and docks, the clip will work equallywell on platforms comprised of composite materials or metal, and surfacemembers that have non-flat top and/or bottom surfaces. In theenvironment illustrated in FIG. 3, the width of the gap 14 (shown asapproximating the respective diameter of each of the legs) does notallow the legs 18 of the clip 10 to separate. Thus, when the clip isaxially twisted 90 degrees during installation, one leg will ride infront of the other, locking it in place. In the case of wider gapsbetween the surface members, the spring-loaded legs will separate andthus return entirely back into the same plane as the head 10 of the clipand engage the sides 21 of the adjacent surface members (i.e., deckplanks).

After installation, the judicious dimensioning of the head 16 and feet20 will ensure that the clip 10 is not displaced vertically (i.e., itwill not pull out of or slip through the gap 14). With reference to FIG.4, The clip 10 may be installed and removed at any point in the gap 14between surface members 12, except where supporting joists 30 are inclose proximity to the planks thereby preventing lateral movement of theclip 10. Positioning the clip such that it abuts a joist 30 canadvantageously prevent slippage when securing objects to decks, picnictables and similarly supported surfaces. If there are no pre-existingcross-member joists available at the position where placement of theclip(s) is to occur, temporary cross-members or brackets may be attachedto the top or bottom of the surface members to prevent rotation orslippage of the clip(s).

Padlocks and/or theft-resistant connectors 24 may be employed with theclips 10 to secure items against theft or authorized use.

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodification, and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, inprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of theinvention and the limits of the appended claims.

1. A clip for securing objects to a surface formed of spaced-apartsurface members of substantially uniform thickness, comprising: a headdefining a substantially contiguous aperture adapted to receiveconnectors to an object and having a maximum dimension greater than thespacing between the surface members; a pair of legs extending from thehead, the legs each dimensioned to fit in the spacing between thesurface members and to traverse the thickness of the surface members;and a pair of feet one each extending from each one of the pair of legs,the feet diverging in opposite directions to a distance greater than thespacing between the surface members.
 2. The clip of claim 1, wherein thelegs are substantially co-planar with the head.
 3. The clip of claim 1,wherein the legs are angled with respect to an imaginary plane includingthe head.
 4. The clip of claim 1, wherein the feet are substantiallyco-planar with the head.
 5. The clip of claim 1, wherein the feet areangled with respect to an imaginary plane including the head.
 6. Theclip of claim 1, wherein the head, the pair of legs and the pair of feetare formed in a single element.
 7. The clip of claim 6, wherein thesingle element comprises a wire.
 8. The clip of claim 1, wherein thelegs are spring-loaded to separate from one another so as to each engagean opposing surface member.
 9. The clip of claim 1, wherein at leastpart of each leg is twisted about a corresponding part of the other leg.10. The clip of claim 1, wherein the head is formed in a shape selectedfrom the group consisting of rings, ellipsoids, and multi-sided shapes.11. The clip of claim 1, wherein the element is composed of ahigh-strength, corrosion-resistant material.
 12. The clip of claim 11,wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of stainlesssteel, brass, aluminum, and plastic.
 13. The clip of claim 1, whereinthe clip is composed of a spring-tempered material.
 14. The clip ofclaim 13, wherein the legs are compressible to a position within thespacing between the surface members such that the feet diverge inseparate planes substantially parallel to a plane including the head.15. The clip of claim 1, wherein the feet diverge in substantiallystraight, diametrically opposed directions.
 16. The clip of claim 15,wherein at least one of the feet terminates in a feature pointing backin the general direction of the head.
 17. The clip of claim 16, whereinthe feature is a tyned or beveled end.
 18. The clip of claim 1, whereinthe feet diverge in a curve-like geometry.
 19. The clip of claim 18,wherein at least one of the feet terminates in a feature pointing backin the general direction of the head.
 20. The clip of claim 19, whereinthe feature is a tyned or beveled end.